Preparing for an allergy consultation
The clearer the information about symptoms and exposures, the more precisely the doctor can choose the tests and the more accurately interpret them.
The consultation starts before the appointment
A good allergy consultation starts before you walk into the room. The clearer the information, the more precisely the doctor can choose the tests and the more accurately interpret the results.
Note down the symptoms
It helps to write down what appears, when it appears, how long it lasts, how often it recurs and what seems to trigger it.
For respiratory symptoms, note whether they occur seasonally or all year round, and whether they are worse in the morning, at night, outdoors, indoors, while cleaning, near animals, in damp or mouldy places, or during periods of high pollen.
A food diary, used sensibly
Where food allergy is suspected, a food diary can be very useful, but it should be used sensibly.
Note the food eaten, the approximate amount, the time it was eaten, the time the symptoms started, the type of symptoms, how long they lasted, and whether there were cofactors such as exercise, infection, anti-inflammatory drugs, alcohol, stress or menstruation.
There is no need to turn the diary into a source of anxiety, or to cut out many foods without medical advice.
Ask about antihistamines in advance
If a skin prick test is planned, ask your doctor or the clinic in advance whether antihistamines need to be stopped and for how many days. Antihistamines can reduce the skin reaction and affect the result.
Do not stop important long-term treatments without medical advice.
Say at the start if the reaction was severe
If the reaction was severe, with difficulty breathing, swelling of the face or throat, fainting, a drop in blood pressure or suspected anaphylaxis, say so clearly at the very beginning of the consultation.